Many women don't realize they have a common hormone disorder that can cause weight gain and infertility — here's what you need to know

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone disorder that affects approximately five million women of reproductive age in the United States.

Women with PCOS have high levels of androgen or male hormones.

Doctors are unsure of the exact causes of PCOS and there is no cure for this condition.

If you experience irregular periods and struggle with your weight, you might be wondering if your hormones are involved.

Add patches of body hair that sprout up in places that seem a little odd, and you could be dealing with a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. You may have heard the term floating around before — celebrities such as Jillian Michaels and Daisy Ridley have been open about their struggles, but here's a quick rundown of what it is and some potential signs.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the result of a hormonal imbalance, a condition in which a woman's ovaries produce an excess of male hormones. It is one of the most common female endocrine disorders that can affect a woman's hormone levels, periods, ovulation, fertility, and ability to produce enough milk when breastfeeding.

Dr. Tami Prince, OBGYN, explained to INSIDER that PCOS is a hormonal dysfunction involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. The brain usually produces hormones to which end organs such as ovaries and adrenal glands respond.

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Prince explained that in the case of PCOS, the ovaries do not respond properly or the brain is not producing the hormones normally. This leads to abnormalities in metabolism of androgens and estrogen as well as the production of androgens.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, about 5 to 10% of women ages 15 to 44 have PCOS. Most women are diagnosed during their twenties or thirties, and many don't find out that they have PCOS until they have trouble getting pregnant.

Daisy Ridley has been open about her PCOS journey.
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Medical experts have not found an exact cause for PCOS, however, there are several factors such as high levels of androgens and insulin that may play a role in contributing to the disorder.

Signs and symptoms of PCOS can vary from person to person.

"This causes confusion with menstrual cycles, and a woman with this condition can either have frequent or infrequent periods. That's why having irregular periods is the most common sign of PCOS.

Prince said many times, a patient will complain that they are sprouting hair in odd places, can't lose weight, and they are not getting regular monthly periods. These complaints can be distressing, since you may not understand what is happening with your body.

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Some of the other cardinal symptoms that occur due to hormonal confusion (the cysts are essentially fighting to be the dominant follicle in control of ovulation) include:

Hair growth in unpleasant places (called hirsutism)

Weight gain

Obesity

Insulin and glucose imbalance

Ovarian cysts

Diabetes Mellitus

Acne

In some cases, infertility

There is no one clear answer as to how doctors diagnose and treat PCOS.

In fact, diagnosing this syndrome typically includes a physical exam along with several tests such as sonograms, blood tests, and a pelvic exam.

Treating PCOS is just as multifaceted as diagnosing it. If you have PCOS you will need to partner with your healthcare provider to come up with a treatment plan to help manage the symptoms.